The worst part is it doesn't even matter if it's an 'essential tool for living' or not. People who say stuff like your father have obviously never been the cri

The worst part is it doesn't even matter if it's an 'essential tool for living' or not. People who say stuff like your father have obviously never been the crippling, soul destroying, kind of poor. When your life is filled with stress (because you have to work two jobs) and you are constantly on the verge of being homeless/going hungry (despite working 50-80 hours a week), the choice is simple. Choosing between some brief happiness and luxury given by an iPhone, satellite TV, tasty junk food,a nice pair of sneakers, or even a hit of heroin versus more AGONY, STRESS and PAIN provided by real life is a no brainer. It's hard to fault someone for choosing to take a slice of happiness for themselves in between long stretches of crappy existence. Is it not obvious that one should think twice about judging someone else's motivation and behavior without context? What do you know about their life and why they do the things they do? There is even related research that has repeatedly demonstrated[1] that being poor is /not/ due to laziness or being a lesser human. When poor/disadvantaged people are provided funds (with no strings attached!) they do the right thing and improve their own lives. They don't just "spend it all" on "booze and drugs". With the money their lives improve significantly and permanently. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconditional_cash_transfer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconditional_cash_transfer , https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2013/05/28/why-google-and-facebook-cofounder-chris-hughes-are-giving-cash-directly-to-the-poorest/#12f5fe2d6d17 https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2013/05/28/why-goog... , etc